Veteran N. Shakthan Stages Dramatic Comeback; UDF Reclaims Neyyattinkara from CPM
Kerala: In a high-stakes reversal of fortunes, veteran Congress leader and former Speaker N. Shakthan has wrested the Neyyattinkara constituency back from the Left Democratic Front. In a hard-fought battle that spanned 18 rounds of counting, Shakthan secured a convincing victory over the incumbent MLA, K. Ansalan of the CPI(M). The final result, declared by the Election Commission, confirmed a winning margin of 6,966 votes, marking a significant win for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the southern tip of the state.
The contest was viewed as a prestige battle for both fronts, particularly for the CPI(M), which had held the seat for the last two consecutive terms through K. Ansalan. However, the UDF’s strategy of fielding a seasoned heavyweight like N. Shakthan appeared to resonate with a segment of the electorate seeking a change in local leadership.
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From the initial stages of counting, Shakthan maintained a steady lead, which Ansalan found impossible to close as the focus shifted from rural pockets to the municipal heart of the constituency.
With this victory, the UDF has managed to breach what had recently become a reliable stronghold for the LDF in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Political observers note that Shakthan’s deep-rooted connection with the local community and his previous experience as a representative of the region played a pivotal role in tilting the scales.
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As jubilant Congress workers took to the streets to celebrate the veteran’s return to the Assembly, the result serves as a clear indicator of the shifting political tides in the capital district’s key constituencies.
(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project “Whom They Voted For: Celebrating The Election Festival”. This internship project is being organised aimed at helping young minds understand the electoral process of the country.)
